Latch



June 1930. E. MEININGHAUS 1,767,152

LATCH Filed Aug. 11, 1928 Patented June 24, 1930 PATENT EWALI) MEITVTNGHAUS, F LATICASTER, NEW YORK LATCH Application filed August 11, 1928. Serial No. 298,970.

This invention relates to a latch for doors or windows and more particularly to a device which will hold the door or window ajar so as to provide adequate ventilation a without a draft, such a device being particularly applicable to automobiles for holding the doors slightly open to provide fresh and cool air without danger of the door swinging all the way open and being en- ]e dangered.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide. such a device which automatically looks a swinging window or door in the desired positionpupon opening 35 the same and which can be easily released to permit of closing the door or window.-

A further aim is to provide such a device which is simple, compact and strong, and will not get out of order or out of good 20 working condition through constant or severe use.

A still further object is to provide such a device which is attractive in appearance and occupies but a small space on the frame and the window or door- In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a swinging window or door and frame therefor equipped with my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2, Fig. l.

Figure 8 is a fragmentaryvertical section through the frame and door or window,

showing an end elevation of the latch embodying my invention.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the door or window swung open.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sec- .t-J tion taken on line 5-5, Fig. l.

Similar reference numerals refer to like parts in each of the several views.

In its general organization this invention comprises two relatively swinging members on one of which a catch bar is pivotally mounted, a guide rod securedto the other member and guiding the outer end of the catch bar and a latch bar mounted adjacent the guide rod and being arranged to engage and hold releasably the catch bar thereby holding the swinging members ina fixed relative open position. i

The numerals 6 and 7 represent the side and upper bars of a frame on which the door, window or other swinging member 8 is hung, the door or window being shown as hung on hinges 9 which are secured tothe side bar 6.

The catch bar 10 is arranged to swing horizontally and is shown as secured at one end to the under side of the upper frame bar 7 by a screw 11 or the like, a suit'ablespacing collar 12 being interposed between the catch bar and the frame bar to insure the easy operation of the catch bar., This catch bar is preferably made of flat bar stock and, as best shown in Fig. 5, the outer end of the same is twisted and bent laterally so as to form a laterally extending end 13. This laterally extending end 13 is provided with an opening which receives a horizontal guide rod 14.

The guide rod 14 is supported at its opposite ends in two brackets 15 and 16 which are secured to the inner side of the window or door 8 in any suitable manner. The outwardly projecting part 'of the bracket 15 is extended downwardly, as indicated at 17, and this'downwardly projecting part is provided with a vertical guide slot 18; guide slot receives a longitudinally projecting finger 19 at the end of a latch bar 20 and guides and limits its upward and downward movement. I 1

The latch bar 20 is pivoted for vertically swinging movement on a bracket 21, which is secured to the side of the door or window 8 in any suitable manner and supports the latch bar in spaced relation to the door, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The latch bar 20 is formed to provide an inclined surface 22 which in the elevated position of the same is arranged in the path of the laterally formed outer end 13 of the catch bar. At the summit of the inclined surface 22, the latch bar is provided with, two notches 23 which are adapted to receive the laterally formed outer end 13 of the catch bar and hold it against movementin either direction along the guide rod 14.

This

An ear 24 is formed at the upper end of the guide rod bracket and to this ear is secured a helical tension spring 25, the other end of which is secured to the outer end of the finger 19 at the end of the latch bar 20. This spring yieldingly holds the finger 19 of the latch bar against the upper limit of the guide slot 18 in the bracket 15 and thereby holds the inclined surface 22 and the notches 23 of the latch bar in the path of the laterally formed end 13 of the catch bar as it traverses the guide rod. To draw the latch bar down for the purpose of releasing the catch bar, a chain 26 "is secured to the end of the finger 19.

It is apparent that as the door or window 8 is swung open, the laterally formed outer end 13 of the catch bar 10 rides along the guide rod 14: and engages the inclined surface 22 of the latch bar 20. Further opening movement of the door causes the latch bar 20 to be depressed until the laterally formed outer end 13 of the catch bar engages the first of the notches 23. The spring 25 forces the latch bar upwardly and hence the laterally formed outer end of the catch bar 10 is engaged by the first notch 23 and further movement of the catch bar in either direction is prevented and the door or window 8 is thereby held in fixed relation to the frame. If it is desired to hold the door or window in a further open position, the latch bar is moved downwardly by means of the chain 26, the door or window is swung further open and the latch bar is then released so as to permit the second notch 23 to engage the catch bar. hen it is desired to close the door or window, the chain 26 and latch bar 20 are drawn downwardly so as to clear the catch bar 10 and the. door is swung shut.

As a whole, this invention provides a simple, reliable and compact latch which will hold two relatively swinging parts in a fixed open position relative to one another, the same is easy to operate and is attractive in appearance and will not get out of order under constant use.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for holding a swinging memher in fixed relation to its frame, comprising a fiat catch bar pivotally secured to the inner side of the frame, the outer end of said catch bar being twisted and formed to pro vide a laterally extending end provided with an opening, a guide rod mounted on the inner side of said swinging member and penetrating said opening, and a latch carried by said swinging member and adapted to engage the edge of the laterally extending-end of said catch and hold the same against movement along said guide rod.

2. A device for holding two relatively swinging members in fixed relation to one another, comprising a catch bar pivoted at one end to one of said members, means carried by the other member for guiding the other end of said catch bar, a latch pivotally mounted on said last named member and having an inclined surface and a notch and spring means yieldingly holding said latch in the path of said catch bar whereby said catch bar is adapted to slide along said inclined surface and engage said notch.

8. A device for holding two relatively swinging members in fixed relation to one another, comprising a catch bar pivoted at one end to one of said members, means carried by the other member for guiding the other end of said catch bar, a slotted bracket mounted on said last named member, a latch bar pivotally mounted on said last named member, the outer end of said latch bar penetrating said slot and being limited in its movement thereby, .and said latch bar being provided with an inclined face and a notch adapted to be engaged by said catch bar, and a spring between the outer end of said latch bar and said bracket, said sprin yieldingly holding said inclined surface and said notch in the path of said catch'bar.

4. A device for holding two relatively swinging members in fixed relation to one another, comprising a catch bar pivoted at one end to one of said members and provided at its outer end with an opening, a pair of brackets secured to the other member, a guide rod supported by said brackets and penetrating the opening provided in said catch bar, a latch bar pivotally mounted on said last named member, the outer end of said latch bar being guided in a slot provided in one of said brackets and said latch bar having an inclined face and a series of notches, and a spring connecting the end of said latch bar and said slotted bracket and yieldingly holding said inclined surface and notches in the path of said catch bar whereby said catch bar, upon opening said members, rides along said inclined surface and engages one of said notches.

5. A device for holding two relatively swinging members in fixed relation to one another, comprising an arm pivotally connected to one of said members, a second arm pivotally connected to the other member. a guide member mounted on one of said swinging membersiand engaging and guiding the arm on the other swinging member so as to effect an engagement between said arms, and cooperating latch means formed on said arms, whereby said. arms are latched against movement at at least one point of their travel.

In testimony whereof E ai'liX my signature.

ElVALD MEININGHAUS. 

